'Work hard, do the best you can, don't ever lose faith in yourself and take no notice of what other people say about you'
— NOËL COWARD
The works of Noël Coward provide a wealth of material to discuss, study and explore within a school curriculum or as part of a further education or academic course. Below are downloadable education packs that are currently available for Noël Coward plays. We invite you to download and use them as learning resources alongside your studies and research.
Study Guides
BRIEF ENCOUNTER
written and provided by
David Pugh Ltd and the Noël Coward Estate
BRIEF ENCOUNTER FILM
written and provided by the Noël Coward Estate
PRIVATE LIVES
for those studying the AS Level Syllabus with OCR, written and provided by the Noël Coward Estate
For further materials to accompany this guide, visit the Private Lives resources page
PRESENT LAUGHTER
written and provided by the National Theatre
PRIVATE LIVES
written and provided by Hampstead Theatre
THE VORTEX
written and provided by Royal Exchange, Manchester
Essays
ENGLAND’S CHEKHOV
by Stephen Unwin
www.stephenunwin.uk
Stephen Unwin explores the deeper meaning behind Coward's works.
BLITHE SPIRIT
by John Knowles
John Knowles discusses the reassuring presence of the ghost Elvira in Blithe Spirit when it was first performed during the Second World War, and the numerous revivals and adaptations of the play since then.
PRIVATE LIVES
by John Knowles
People mistakenly believe that Coward’s plays are light-hearted drawing-room comedies – they couldn’t be more wrong. John Knowles' essay talks about Coward's writing of Private Lives in 1930 and why the play continues to be revived throughout the world today.
NOËL COWARD
by Sheridan Morley
A brief biography of Noël Coward. Sheridan Morley was drama critic of the Daily Express; he wrote the first Coward biography, A Talent to Amuse, and devised the stage show Noël and Gertie; he was also a trustee of the Noël Coward Foundation.
THE FIRST NOËL
by Al Senter
Al Senter, freelance theatre journalist and interviewer, discusses the sparkling quips and silk dressing-gowns of Noël Coward and how the Coward brand has the capacity to surprise and delight all generations.
WHY NOËL NOW?
by Barry Day
Barry Day, Vice President of the Coward Society and Literary Advisor to the Coward Estate, explains why there is still such a flurry of interest around Noël Coward's plays in contemporary society and why, like the man himself, Coward will never go out of style.